Questions on using established filter media

[mcybyk]

Hello all. I must say that the info on the site has really assisted me with how to proceed with my new tank setup. I currently have a 10 gallon with 2 goldfish that we keep in my daughter's room. I have really enjoyed maintaining it and am now moving up to a 40 gallon tank that will house angelfish, gouramis, and a few others. My original plan on cycyling the tank, based on my LFS, was using a chemical additive which he sold me and buying some hearty fish to start the process. However, I never realized the stress and detriment this may cause to the fish. After reading the article on Freshwater Cycling, I decided to test the 10g tank to see what my readings were. Both ammonia and nitrite levels were zero and I had approx. 20 ppm Nitrate - base don the article, and ideal environment (must be dumb luck on my part). That tank is using a Topfin 10 filter. My plan is to take the filter cartridge out of that filter and place it into one of the filter baskets of the Emperor 400 that I will be using in the 40g.

This leads to my questions. Is this in fact what I want to do? When should I do my first water test? How often should I test? How long might I expect the process to take? Once done, should I add all the fish at once, or a few at a time?

Again, I really love the site and plan on spending a great deal of time here to obtain as much knowledge as possible. Thanks.

Myron

 

[rogers138]

Welcome to AC!

First off, I don't think the filter cartridge from the Top Fin 10 filter would fit into the Emperor 400. You could take some of the gravel and/or decor out of the 10 gal and put it into the 40 gal to help cycle. Ask your LFS if they have something you can use. This is a good way to cycle your new tank, but a lot of people will say go with the fishless cycling method.

You can test your water as soon as it's filled with water and continue to check your water params everyday. Get an API Mater Test Kit. They're a little pricey, but are a reliable source for checking your water params.

The cycling process depends on your tank and what cycling method you choose.

When the cycling has completed, 0 ammo, 0 nitrites and about 20 nitrates, then you can slowly begin to add a few fish each week.

Good luck!

 

[echoofformless]

If you take that cartridge from the Whisper and get it into the Emperor immediately, (and without rinsing in chlorinated tap water - just take it direct from one to the other) you will be transferring a good amount of bacteria to your new system. That means not only can you add a few small fish right away, but you would actually have to have some there otherwise the bacteria would die due to the loss of the fish waste food source.

The amount of bacteria on the Whisper cartridge isn't going to be enough to sustain the full stock potential of your forty gallon tank, but it will be enough to sustain a few small hardy-ish fish while multiplying and seeding your new tank.

Okay in simpler terms, transfer the cartridge into the new tank where you have put those few small fish. Wait a few days and then test for ammonia. It should be zero. Test for nitrite. This should also be zero.

Wait another few days and test again. If all is well, then you can add a few more fish. You probably know already to add your fish gradually so that the bacteria can have the time to multiply and keep up with the waste.

Basically that old media will seed the new tank. It's the old one seed being the origin of a whole field sort of thing.

 

[mcybyk]

Thanks for the feedback. The fish that I am planning on adding are angelfish, gouramis, and a red tail shark, possibly others. That said, what would be a hearty fish to add to have my cycle going that would work with these fish?

 

[gmh]

Danios would be a good choice. They are hardy and fast enough swimmers to hopefully stay out of the shark's way.
Or you could put one of the goldfish in the 40 gallon for a while. By the way the two goldfish will likely outgrow the 10 gallon tank.

 

[jm1212]

the goldfish will be better off in the 40 gallon. they make quite a bit of waste and get fairly large. depending on the type, it may be big enough for quite some time.

you could probably fit the filter cartridge into the media baskets, or you could just give the cartridge a good shake in the new tank

 

[Star_Rider]

you could just as easily transfer bacteria without adding the cartridge. the bacteria can be 'squeezed/ rinsed' off the established filter media..simply squeeze or wringout the filter into the new filter.

make sure you have a food source available in the new tank.

 

[bluekrissyspike]

a 10 g is too small for a goldfish longterm... so probably is a 40g...goldfish are meant to grow...mine grew to about 8 inches fairly quickly...if they are not growing then they will become stunted, and unhealthy and die at a fraction of thier possible age....

 

[cheizy]

If you remove the media from your gold fish tank, then you would probably go through a mini-cycle. I would do as star rider said, sqeeze and rinse out the sponges/media etc. into the new filter, that should suffice for now. Make sure you don't add too many fish at a time though, the newly seeded filter will need time to mature. Keep a good eye on the water params, and do w/c as needed. Good luck!

Oh yeah, welcome to AC!!

 

[mcybyk]

O.K., so now I am completely rethinking what I want to do. I did add 4 Mickey Mouse Platies upon the recommendation of my LFS after letting him know that I wanted to eventually add angelfish and gouramis. After reading some of the post left since yesterday, I am now more concerned about the goldfish, given that I don't know if I want to add a larger tank in my daughter's room for the goldfish (have you figured out that I never knew goldfish got so big?). I know that I could switch the fish and put the goldfish in the 40g and the platies in the 10g. However, this may cause some upset given that my daughter is also really looking forward to having the angels and I really want the gouramis. Would I be able to include the goldfish in the 40g with the platies? The water temp is 77-78 degrees - is that too warm for goldfish since the currently have no heater in their tank? If I can combine them, then I may just have to give up the notion of the angels and gouramis for another time, i.e. after the goldfish have lived a long a fruitful life, or until I can get another tank. Do I have any other options? As always, I appreciate the input.